Sauna Buying Guide

Find the Perfect Barrel Sauna for Your Home

Your complete guide to choosing the right barrel sauna size, heater, upgrades, installation setup, and more.

Let's Get started

Creating Your Home Outdoor Retreat

Choosing a sauna should feel exciting, not overwhelming. This guide walks you through the essential decisions: size, heater type, materials, features, and installation. Whether you’re building your first backyard sanctuary or upgrading to a premium model, this page gives you everything you need for a confident choice.

Choosing the Right Sauna Size

Barrel saunas heat efficiently because of their curved design, but interior space still matters for comfort, seating, and how you plan to use it.

4-Person Saunas

Best for couples, families, and smaller outdoor spaces.

  • Heats quickly and efficiently
  • Compact footprint
  • Great for up to 4 people on a regular basis

6-Person Saunas

Our most popular size for good reason.

  • Versatile for individuals, couples, and small gatherings
  • Spacious interior for stretching or lying down
  • Ideal balance of size and heat retention

8-Person Saunas

For entertaining, larger families, and luxury setups.

  • Maximum interior room
  • Best paired with higher-output heaters
  • Ideal for rental properties, retreats, or group wellness
View All Sauna Sizes
Wooden barrel sauna interior with curved half-moon window and benches

Choosing the Right Heater

The heater is the heart of your sauna experience. It determines heat-up time, steam quality, long-term maintenance, and overall feel.

Electric Heaters

Clean, simple, and incredibly efficient. Best for residential backyards and daily use.

  • Fast heat-up times
  • No chimney or venting needed
  • Optional WiFi controls via Harvia Xenio

Wood-Burning Heaters

Traditional heat, unmatched ambiance. Excellent for off-grid locations.

  • Strong radiant heat
  • Classic sauna scent and sound
  • Requires chimney venting

Sauna heaters

What Size Heater Do I Need?

As a rule of thumb, here's the recommended heater kW based on the size of your sauna:

4-Person

6–8 kW

6-Person

8–9 kW

8-Person

9–10.5 kW

Convenience & Control

WiFi Controls

Most Harvia heaters we offer come with the Xenio WiFi Control System, which allows you to preheat your sauna from anywhere using the MyHarvia app.

Turn on your sauna remotely and arrive to the perfect temperature, even in colder climates. Monitor heat levels in real time, set schedules, and use timers to make regular sauna sessions effortless and consistent.

Porches, Windows & Add-Ons

You can customize your sauna to match your space and style.

Always included:

  • Full-view glass door
  • Towel & robe hooks
  • Bucket & ladle

Popular upgrades:

  • Panoramic back window
  • Front porch + seating area
  • LED ambiance lighting
  • Interior backrests

Should I Add a Cold Plunge?

Pairing your sauna with a cold plunge creates a complete contrast therapy experience. Alternating between hot and cold can support muscle recovery, improve circulation, and help regulate stress by activating the body’s natural nervous system response. Many people find that regular contrast therapy enhances mental clarity, sleep quality, and overall resilience. A cold plunge integrates seamlessly with any size barrel sauna and is an easy way to elevate your at-home wellness routine.

Explore Cold Plunges

The Details That Matter

Installation, Warranty & Long-Term Care

We believe in being transparent about the details so you know exactly what to expect before ordering.

Warranty & Ongoing Support

Every Ember sauna is backed by a 1-year craftsmanship warranty, covering the structure and build quality of your sauna. We also provide clear cedar care guidelines and heater maintenance instructions to help ensure long-term performance and longevity. Our team is always available to answer questions and offer guidance as your sauna ages naturally over time.

Delivery & Installation Overview

Delivery costs vary based on distance from our headquarters and how accessible your property is. Because every site is different, we offer consultations to review access, placement, and the most efficient delivery method for your sauna.

Typical options include flatbed delivery, off-road forklift placement, crane service, or on-site assembly for locations where a fully assembled sauna can’t be delivered.

For full details, pricing ranges, and delivery options, view our Delivery & Installation page.

Still Not Sure Which Sauna Is Right For You?

We’re here to help you choose the perfect setup for your home.

Call us: (541) 647-9736

Email your questions: info@embersaunas.com